Team effort turns ship around

It takes a team effort second to none to turn a business around, setting it on an award-winning path.

This is exactly what happened at Penta Suzuki Rustenburg that was recently awarded the top spot in the category for a dealership with the Most Improved Performance in the MSX NADA Business of the Year 2020 Awards.

The judging cycle of this award stretch over a calendar year where the continuous improvement on its return on assets are measured.

Dealerfloor asked Anzo Ashcroft, who took over as Dealer Principal during March 2020, what brought this change about and what it means for the dealership.

“Soon after I arrived, a complete lockdown was announced owing to the pandemic. We did not sit still but started actively to look at all aspects of the business, our approach to business and in the process changing the culture of how we do business.

“We put new emphasis on the value system of the Penta Motor Group that include principals like integrity, motivation, innovation and the will to win, to mention some key aspects. Even working from home, we followed up every single lead, contacted clients and possible clients, conducted sales, getting all the paperwork done and was ready to deliver once normality returned,” says Anzo.

He says what also help to get the dealership on track again was the assistance from “behind the scenes” like the marketing campaigns and training provided by the Penta Group to the staff.

“Their involvement and the assistance of Peet Hoffman, one of the Group Directors, overseeing operations in the North West, helped to change the setting from survival to that of growing and winning and aiming for new hights,” according to Anzo.

“Although stock shortages are a reality, we manage to navigate with reasonable success through that problem up to now. It does however have a big influence especially on the used car market with high prices because of the shortage of good stock.”

Asked about the future Anzo says the next couple of months will be a challenge for all he obvious reasons. “Our dealership is aiming to become a member of the prestigious club of Elite Suzuki Dealerships that generates even more trust and status. Winning awards is the result of not only doing the basics in the correct manner but exceeding the prescribed requirements.”

He also sees opportunities in the new Right to Repair legislation that will allow servicing and repairs dealerships and service centres that is not necessary link to a specific brand. It could create opportunities for multi-franchises and even stand-alone dealerships within specific motor groups. Before his appointment as DP in Rustenburg, Anzo spent four years at another award-winning Suzuki dealership, Penta Klerksdorp, a multi-franchise Dealership with Suzuki, Renault and Mahindra under one roof.